Over the past 18 years my son has never really been into what I have been into. I'm a gear head. I love motorcycles, drag racing and fighting fire. He loves basketball, football and his XBOX.
Never did I ever think he would come to me and tell me he wanted to enlist in the U.S. Navy.
After the bomb shell he dropped on me cleared, I had to really evaluate the gravity of his statement. For the first time, no matter what I said, HE was telling me what HE was going to do.
Our conversation was pretty short and to the point. He asked what the Navy was about, where in the Navy he would be best utilized and if I would go with him to the recruiters office. I asked him why he wanted to join and he said he wanted to serve his country, like I did. Talk about getting a lump in your throat! I use to change this kids dippers and here he is telling me he is willing to pay the price for our freedom!
He knows how I feel about Iraq and Afghanistan, and that's all I'm gonna say about that.
Well, this past February 18th 2011 my Son graduated from Naval Service Training Command Great Lakes Illinois.
My wife, my daughter and myself went to see him. I kept it together pretty good, until his company marched into the drill hall.
Now mind you, I served 4 years in the U.S. Navy. I am now a Federal Firefighter in the U.S. Navy. I have other family members that have served.
As my son and his company marched past me, for the first time I actually understood what it means to serve. AND I was there in his shoes 20 years ago! The honor I had watching those kids stand up and do what they are doing is absolutely amazing. For ch!$t sakes I had to tell my boy to brush his teeth, take a shower, clean his room and not stay out too late just days before he left for boot camp, and here he is, standing with 900+ other kids graduating into the most power military force ever known on our planet. My son is no longer my boy.
After all the crying and blubbering was done I got to hug my son and thank him for his service.
Currently he is in school, he is going to be a "CE" Construction Electrician in the Seabee's. From what I understand, once he finishes school and gets to his Battalion he will be deployed... to Afghanistan.
Never did I ever think he would come to me and tell me he wanted to enlist in the U.S. Navy.
After the bomb shell he dropped on me cleared, I had to really evaluate the gravity of his statement. For the first time, no matter what I said, HE was telling me what HE was going to do.
Our conversation was pretty short and to the point. He asked what the Navy was about, where in the Navy he would be best utilized and if I would go with him to the recruiters office. I asked him why he wanted to join and he said he wanted to serve his country, like I did. Talk about getting a lump in your throat! I use to change this kids dippers and here he is telling me he is willing to pay the price for our freedom!
He knows how I feel about Iraq and Afghanistan, and that's all I'm gonna say about that.
Well, this past February 18th 2011 my Son graduated from Naval Service Training Command Great Lakes Illinois.
My wife, my daughter and myself went to see him. I kept it together pretty good, until his company marched into the drill hall.
Now mind you, I served 4 years in the U.S. Navy. I am now a Federal Firefighter in the U.S. Navy. I have other family members that have served.
As my son and his company marched past me, for the first time I actually understood what it means to serve. AND I was there in his shoes 20 years ago! The honor I had watching those kids stand up and do what they are doing is absolutely amazing. For ch!$t sakes I had to tell my boy to brush his teeth, take a shower, clean his room and not stay out too late just days before he left for boot camp, and here he is, standing with 900+ other kids graduating into the most power military force ever known on our planet. My son is no longer my boy.
After all the crying and blubbering was done I got to hug my son and thank him for his service.
Currently he is in school, he is going to be a "CE" Construction Electrician in the Seabee's. From what I understand, once he finishes school and gets to his Battalion he will be deployed... to Afghanistan.
I come from a VERY strong military family. Both my grandparents served in WWII one as a marine, the other as Army. I have had 3 uncles in the marines at one point, and one in the navy. Currently there is 4 Navy, 3Marines, and 4 Army serving active right now (cousins and myself). I have been in 7 years, and am currently on my third deployment. I have 1 girl and 3 boys, and can only imagine what is going to happen when one of mine tells me they wanna serve. Thank you too all that have served, or are serving !!!!
